Colorado-based weather researchers say three hurricanes formed in the Atlantic this year, two fewer than they predicted before the season and one less than their August update called for.

Colorado State University researchers William Gray and Phil Klotzbach said Thursday their preseason forecasts called for 11 named storms, including five hurricanes, two of them major.

Their August 4 update called for ten named storms, including four hurricanes, two of them major.

They say the final numbers were nine named storms and three hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. The 1950-2000 average is 9.6 named storms and 5.9 hurricanes.

The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Gray has been forecasting hurricanes for more than two decades.

©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.